Carstensz Expeditions

Puncak Jaya or Carstensz Pyramid is one of the peaks of Sudirman mountain range in Papua, Indonesia. It is 4,884 meters above sea level and the highest peak in all Southeast Asia. Having the only glacier found on the highest peak in a tropical country, Carstensz – admitted one of the seven summits – has attracted climbers and alpineers from all over the world to step foot on top of this mountain.

Carstensz Pyramid is not just a row of high mountains though. The track is rich and infested with enjoyable attractive spots tourists can stop by along the trekking route. If you go through the trekking route in Sugapa, Suanggama and Ilaga, you will come across a spot called New Zealand Pass. These trekking routes are full of rocky-lined pathway and some beautiful lakes. The view is similar to the view in New Zealand Pass − that is why the spot is named so by the first Carstensz explorers. It gets pretty sandy at the altitude of 4100 meters above sea level.

That’s only the tip of the iceberg! There are plenty of other phenomenal and panoramic views to see in Carstensz Pyramid area. Here are some of those unique venues.

The reversed flow of Nabu river

It is located at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level. The river remains to flow to a higher direction, reversed if you may. This could be a visual illusion, but no one has examined it scientifically.

The giant rock that stands against the law of universal gravitation

The phenomenon of rock against gravity is at an altitude of 4700 meters above sea level. The rock seems like it’s about to fall but stands still in perfect balance in the slope of 90° with nothing supporting it.

The human skulls and skeletons

Found in cliff openings at an altitude of 4300 above sea level, these skulls and skeletons are believed to be the long Moni Tribe ancestors who climbed the mountain for hunting and died during action.

Digawe

A large area covered with grass that’s similar to a meadow. Growing and spreading over 3,000 meters above sea level, this grassland, the climbers seems to see it as if it was hanging in the sky. The route to reach it, however, is very hard but the real adventurers see it as a challenge to conquer.

The Savanna

A savanna located at an altitude of 4000 meters above sea level covered with grass and dominated by pakia trees (Cyathea muelleri).

If you take up trekking, you might stop by in a local village called Ugimba, located at an altitude of 2,100 meters above sea level, the village belongs to Intan Jaya regency and it is the closest village to Carstenzs peak. There are around two hundred people living in this village. Almost 90 percent of them are Moni tribe and the rest are Amungme tribe and Dani tribe.

You may think most part of Papua is totally covered by thick rainforests, but Carstenzs trekking routes has stunning villages with beautiful natural scenery you can explore. Ugimba is one of the villages and the closest to the mountain peak. It may not be as famous as Jayapura, Merauke, Biak and Nabire, however, its potential tourism is not inferior to the places above.

Now you can see that is not only about climbing the mountain. Only a few of the lucky ones get to experience the adventure and see beautiful views as well as phenomenon that comes across in Carstensz Pyramid area. In addition to your curiosity about Carstensz, dingiso and tree kangaroos are two typical animals living around this mountain. Tree kangaroos are found in high forest and subalpine bushes at Sudirman Mountain, Papua. This type of tree kangaroos has black fur with combination of white specifically on the chest. In terms of shape, Dingiso, is an animal similar to an Australian koala.

What distinguishes dingisos from koalas are the dominant color of Dingiso’s fur which is black. Living at the altitude 4000 above sea level and never coming down to lower regions of the mountains. It is possible for you to meet these rare and beautiful animals, if your inner explorer sparked at the sight of Carstensz.